The Federal Government has flagged off the reconstruction of the 122-kilometre Kaduna (Mando)–Birnin Gwari Road, with the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, declaring that President Bola Tinubu's economic reforms are already producing tangible results through strategic infrastructure development.
Umahi made the declaration on Tuesday during the official flag-off ceremony at Afaka Mando Arena in Kaduna State, describing the road project as another fulfilled promise by President Tinubu under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
According to the minister in a statement by his his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Francis Nwaze, investment in road infrastructure is helping the government tackle insecurity, boost economic activities, reduce hunger and reconnect communities across the country.
"We are using road infrastructure to fix the economic problems we met on the ground, fight insecurity, reduce hunger and address the injustices where some states had no federal projects," he said.
Umahi described the Kaduna–Birnin Gwari Road as a critical transport corridor that will shorten travel time between Northern Nigeria and Lagos by linking Birnin Gwari to Niger, Kwara, Osun, Oyo and Lagos states, thereby opening new economic opportunities.
He also noted that the ongoing reconstruction of the Abuja–Kaduna Road has significantly improved security along the once-dangerous route.
Responding to criticisms that the Federal Government is prioritising new roads over existing ones, the minister dismissed the claims, citing ongoing rehabilitation of major highways including the Sokoto–Zamfara–Funtua–Zaria Road, Enugu–Onitsha Expressway, Makurdi–9th Mile Road, Bodo–Bonny Road and the Abuja–Kaduna–Zaria–Kano Highway.
Umahi stressed that road infrastructure remains a catalyst for national development, saying improved roads stimulate agriculture, commerce, education and economic growth.
He also congratulated Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, on securing presidential approval for a 50-kilometre intra-city light rail project valued at 868 million dollars.
The minister urged Nigerians to engage the government through constructive criticism, noting that meaningful feedback helps improve governance and service delivery.
Representing President Bola Tinubu at the event, Governor Uba Sani reaffirmed the President's commitment to the people of Birnin Gwari, recalling that Tinubu had visited the area before assuming office and promised to reconstruct the road despite prevailing security challenges.
According to the governor, the commencement of the project demonstrates that the President honours his promises.
Sani commended Tinubu's commitment to the development of Northern Nigeria, saying the administration has undertaken unprecedented interventions in the region.
Also speaking, the Emir of Birnin Gwari, Alhaji (Dr.) Zubairu Jibril Maigwari II, applauded the Federal Government and governors of the affected states for improving security, noting that many farmers had returned to their farms after years of displacement caused by insecurity.